Atomic Oscillator

ABSTRACT

An atomic oscillator includes an atom cell that accommodates an alkali metal atom, a container that accommodates the atom cell, a heating device that is disposed in the container and heats the atom cell, a substrate on which the container is disposed, and a positioning member that is disposed on the substrate and positions the container. The atom cell is pressed against the container toward the heating device. The heating device is pressed against the container toward the atom cell, and the container is in turn pressed against the positioning member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2017-219404, filed Nov. 14, 2017, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an atomic oscillator and a frequencysignal generation system.

2. Related Art

As an oscillator having high-precision oscillation characteristics for along term, there is a known atomic oscillator that oscillates based onenergy transition in an alkali metal atom, such as rubidium and cesium.

For example, JP-A-2017-50665 discloses an atomic oscillator including afirst magnetism shield that accommodates a gas cell and a secondmagnetism shield that accommodates a heating device that heats the gascell. In JP-A-2017-50665, the heating device is pressed toward the firstmagnetism shield to supply the gas cell with a predetermined amount ofheat for stable oscillation characteristics.

As described in JP-A-2017-50665, to achieve stable oscillationcharacteristics of the atomic oscillator, the temperature of the gascell needs to be appropriately controlled. Further, the positionalprecision between a light source and the gas cell is also a factor thatshould be considered for providing stable oscillation characteristics.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an atomicoscillator that allows an atom cell to be disposed with high positionalprecision with respect to a substrate and the atom cell to beefficiently heated. Another advantage of some aspects of the inventionis to provide a frequency signal generation system that allows an atomcell to be disposed with high positional precision with respect to asubstrate and the atom cell to be efficiently heated.

The invention can be implemented as the following aspects or applicationexamples.

Application Example 1

An atomic oscillator according to this application example includes anatom cell that accommodates an alkali metal atom, a container thataccommodates the atom cell, a heating device that is disposed in thecontainer and heats the atom cell, a substrate on which the container isdisposed, and a positioning member that is disposed on the substrate andpositions the container. The atom cell is pressed against the containertoward the heating device. The heating device is pressed against thecontainer toward the atom cell, and the container is in turn pressedagainst the positioning member.

In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, theheating device is pressed against the container toward the atom cell,and the container is in turn pressed against the positioning member.Therefore, in the atomic oscillator according to the applicationexample, the atom cell can be disposed with respect to the substratewith high positional precision. Further, in the atomic oscillatoraccording to the application example, since the atom cell is pressedagainst the container toward the heating device, the atom cell can beefficiently heated.

Application Example 2

In the atomic oscillator according to the application example, thecontainer may have a first surface on which the heating device isdisposed and a second surface located on a side opposite the firstsurface, and the second surface may be pressed against the positioningmember.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, in whichthe second surface of the container is pressed against the positioningmember, the atom cell can be positioned with respect to a referencesurface that is the surface which forms the positioning member andagainst which the second surface is pressed. Therefore, in the atomicoscillator according to this application example, the atom cell can bedisposed with respect to the substrate with high positional precision.

Application Example 3

The atomic oscillator according to the application example may furtherinclude a heating device holding member that holds the heating device,and the heating device holding member may be pressed against thecontainer toward the atom cell.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, in whichthe heating device holding member is pressed against the containertoward the atom cell, the atom cell can be efficiently heated.

Application Example 4

The atomic oscillator according to the application example may furtherinclude an atom cell holding member that holds the atom cell and isaccommodated in the container, and the atom cell holding member may bepressed against the container toward the heating device.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, in whichthe atom cell holding member is pressed against the container toward theheating device, the atom cell can be efficiently heated.

Application Example 5

The atomic oscillator according to the application example may furtherinclude another container that accommodates the container and a heatingdevice fixing screw that fixes the heating device to the othercontainer. The heating device may be fixed to the other container withthe heating device fixing screw, and the heating device may in turn bepressed against the container toward the atom cell.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, theheating device is fixed to the other container with the heating devicefixing screw, and the heating device is in turn pressed against thecontainer toward the atom cell. The magnitude of force that presses thecontainer against the positioning member can be adjusted. Therefore, inthe atomic oscillator according to this application example, thecontainer can be pressed against the positioning member with appropriateforce, whereby the atom cell can be disposed with respect to thesubstrate with high positional precision.

Application Example 6

The atomic oscillator according to the application example may furtherinclude an atom cell fixing screw that fixes the atom cell to thecontainer. The atom cell may be fixed to the container with the atomcell fixing screw, and the atom cell may in turn be pressed against thecontainer toward the heating device.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, the atomcell is fixed to the container with the atom cell fixing screw, and theatom cell is in turn pressed against the container toward the heatingdevice. The atom cell can therefore be pressed against the containerwith appropriate force. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator according tothis application example, the atom cell can be efficiently heated.

Application Example 7

The atomic oscillator according to the application example may furtherinclude another container that accommodates the container and a fixingscrew that fixes the heating device to the other container and furtherfixes the atom cell to the container. The heating device may be fixed tothe other container and the atom cell may be fixed to the container withthe fixing screw, and in turn the heating device may be pressed againstthe container toward the atom cell and the atom cell may be pressedagainst the container toward the heating device.

In the atomic oscillator according to this application example, the atomcell can be disposed with respect to the substrate with high positionalprecision, and the atom cell can be efficiently heated. Further, in theatomic oscillator according to this application example, in which theother container, the heating device, the container, and the atom cellare fastened together, the size of the atomic oscillator can be reduced.

Application Example 8

A frequency signal generation system according to this applicationexample is a frequency signal generation system including an atomicoscillator, the atomic oscillator including an atom cell thataccommodates an alkali metal atom, a container that accommodates theatom cell, a heating device that is disposed in the container and heatsthe atom cell, a substrate on which the container is disposed, and apositioning member that is fixed to the substrate and positions thecontainer. The atom cell is pressed against the container toward theheating device. The heating device is pressed against the containertoward the atom cell, and the container is in turn pressed against thepositioning member.

In the frequency signal generation system according to this applicationexample, the heating device is pressed against the container toward theatom cell, and the container is in turn pressed against the positioningmember. Therefore, in the frequency signal generation system accordingto this application example, the atom cell can be disposed with respectto the substrate with high positional precision. Further, in thefrequency signal generation system according to this applicationexample, in which the atom cell is pressed against the container towardthe heating device, the atom cell can be efficiently heated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an atomic oscillator according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing an atom cellunit of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a firstpositioning member of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view diagrammatically showing the first positioningmember of the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a support memberof the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates the positioning of an atom cell with respect to asupport member.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing an atomicoscillator according to a first variation of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing an atomicoscillator according to a second variation of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a frequency signalgeneration system according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A preferable embodiment of the invention will be described below indetail with reference to the drawings. It is not intended that theembodiment described below limits the scope of the invention set forthin the appended claims. Further, all configurations described below arenot necessarily essential requirements of the invention.

1. Atomic Oscillator

1.1. Overview

An atomic oscillator according the present embodiment will first bedescribed with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic viewshowing an atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodiment.

The atomic oscillator 10 is an atomic oscillator using coherentpopulation trapping (CPT) that produces a phenomenon in which when analkali metal atom is irradiated with two resonance light fluxes havingspecific different wavelengths at the same time, the two resonance lightfluxes are not absorbed by the alkali metal atom but pass therethrough.The phenomenon based on the coherent population trapping is also calledan electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomenon. The atomicoscillator according to the embodiment of the invention may instead bean atomic oscillator using a double resonance phenomenon based on lightand microwaves.

The atomic oscillator 10 includes a light source unit 100, an opticalsystem unit 200, an atom cell unit 300, and a control unit 500, whichcontrols the light source unit 100 and the atom cell unit 300, as shownin FIG. 1. An overview of the atomic oscillator 10 will first bedescribed below.

The light source unit 100 includes a Peltier device 110, a light source120, and a temperature sensor 130.

The light source 120 emits linearly polarized light LL containing twotypes of light having different frequencies. The light source 120 is alight emitting device, such as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser(VCSEL). The temperature sensor 130 detects the temperature of the lightsource 120. The Peltier device 110 is a first temperature control devicethat controls the temperature of the light source 120 to be a firsttemperature.

Specifically, the Peltier device 110 heats or cools the light source120. The first temperature is, for example, higher than or equal to 25°C. but lower than or equal to 35° C.

The optical system unit 200 is disposed between the light source unit100 and the atom cell unit 300. The optical system unit 200 includes alight attenuation filter 210, a lens 220, and a quarter-wave plate 230.

The light attenuation filter 210 attenuates the intensity of the lightLL emitted from the light source 120. The lens 220 adjusts the radiationangle of the light LL. Specifically, the lens 220 parallelizes the lightLL. The quarter-wave plate 230 converts the two types of light containedin the light LL and having different frequencies from the linearlypolarized light into circular polarized light.

The atom cell unit 300 includes an atom cell 310, a light receivingdevice 320, a heater unit 380, a temperature sensor 322, and a coil 324.

The atom cell 310 transmits the light LL emitted from the light source120. The atom cell 310 accommodates an alkali metal atom. The alkalimetal atom has three-level-system energy levels formed of two groundlevels different from each other and an excitation level. The light LLemitted from the light source 120 enters the atom cell 310 via the lightattenuation filter 210, the lens 220, and the quarter-wave plate 230.

The light receiving device 320 receives and detects the light LL havingpassed through the atom cell 310. The light receiving device 320 is, forexample, a photodiode.

The heater unit 380 is a second temperature control device that controlsthe temperature of the atom cell 310 to be a second temperaturedifferent from the first temperature. The heater unit 380 heats thealkali metal atom accommodated in the atom cell 310 to convert the stateof at least part of the alkali metal atom into a gaseous alkali metalatom. The second temperature is, for example, higher than or equal to60° C. but lower than or equal to 70° C.

The temperature sensor 322 detects the temperature of the atom cell 310.The coil 324 applies a magnetic field in a predetermined direction tothe alkali metal atom accommodated in the atom cell 310 to cause theenergy levels of the alkali metal atom to undergo Zeeman splitting.

In the state in which the alkali metal atom has undergone Zeemansplitting, when the alkali metal atom is irradiated with a circularlypolarized resonance light pair, a plurality of levels of the alkalimetal atom having undergone Zeeman splitting are configured so that thenumber of alkali metal atoms having a desired energy level is greaterthan the number of alkali metal atoms having the other energy levels.Therefore, the number of atoms that express a desired EIT phenomenonincreases, and the magnitude of a desired EIT signal increasesaccordingly. As a result, the oscillation characteristics of the atomicoscillator 10 can be improved.

The control unit 500 includes a temperature controller 510, a lightsource controller 520, a magnetic field controller 530, and atemperature controller 540.

The temperature controller 510 controls energization of the heater unit380 based on the result of the detection performed by the temperaturesensor 322 in such a way that a desired temperature is achieved in theatom cell 310. The magnetic field controller 530 controls energizationof the coil 324 in such a way that the coil 324 produces a constantmagnetic field. The temperature controller 540 controls energization ofthe Peltier device 110 based on the result of the detection performed bythe temperature sensor 130 in such a way that the light source 120 has adesired temperature.

The light source controller 520 controls the frequencies of the twotypes of light contained in the light LL emitted from the light source120 based on the result of the detection performed by the lightreceiving device 320 in such a way that the EIT phenomenon occurs. It isnoted that the EIT phenomenon occurs when the two types of light form aresonance light pair having a frequency difference corresponding to thedifference in energy between the two ground levels of the alkali metalatom accommodated in the atom cell 310. The light source controller 520includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (not shown) having anoscillation frequency controlled so as to be stabilized insynchronization with the control of the frequencies of the two types oflight, and the light source controller 520 outputs an output signal fromthe voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) as an output signal (clocksignal) from the atomic oscillator 10.

1.2. Specific Configuration

A specific configuration of the atomic oscillator 10 will be describednext. FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views diagrammatically showingthe atomic oscillator 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken alongthe line II-II in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 4 to 15, which willbe described later, an axis X, an axis Y, and an axis Z are drawn asthree axes perpendicular to one another.

The atomic oscillator 10 includes the light source unit 100 (lightsource assembly 100), the optical system unit 200 (optical systemassembly 200), the atom cell unit 300 (atom cell assembly 300), asupport member (substrate) 400, the control unit 500 (controller 500),and an outer container 600 (housing), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The axis Z is an axis along a perpendicular P to a first outer containersurface 612 of an outer base 610, and a +Z-axis direction is thedirection from the first outer container surface 612 of the outer base610 toward parts disposed on the first outer container surface 612. Theaxis X is an axis along the light LL outputted from the light sourceunit 100, and a +X-axis direction is the direction in which the light LLtravels. The axis Y is the axis perpendicular to the axes X and Z, and a+Y-axis direction is the direction from the near side toward the farside in a case where the +Z-axis direction is oriented upward and the+X-axis direction is oriented rightward.

The light source unit 100 is disposed on the support member 400. Thelight source unit 100 includes the Peltier device 110, the light source120, the temperature sensor 130, a light source container 140, whichaccommodates the Peltier device 110, the light source 120, and thetemperature sensor 130, and a light source substrate 150, on which thelight source container 140 is disposed. The light source substrate 150is fixed to the support member 400, for example, with screws (notshown). The Peltier device 110, the light source 120, and thetemperature sensor 130 are electrically connected to the control unit500.

The optical system unit 200 is disposed on the support member 400. Theoptical system unit 200 includes the light attenuation filter 210, thelens 220, the quarter-wave plate 230, and a holder 240, which holds thelight attenuation filter 210, the lens 220, and the quarter-wave plate230. The holder 240 is fixed to the support member 400, for example,with screws (not shown).

The holder 240 is provided with a through hole 250. The through hole 250is a region through which the light LL passes. In the through hole 250,the light attenuation filter 210, the lens 220, and the quarter-waveplate 230 are disposed in the presented (sequential) order from the sidefacing the light source unit 100.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing the atom cellunit 300. The atom cell unit 300 includes the atom cell 310, the lightreceiving device 320, a first holding member (atom cell holding member)330, a screw (atom cell fixing screw) 331, a second holding member 332,a first atom cell container (container) 340, a first positioning member350 (mounting bracket), a second positioning member 360 (mountingbracket), spacers 369, a second atom cell container (another container)370, the heater unit 380, and a Peltier device 390, as shown in FIGS. 2to 4.

The atom cell 310 accommodates an alkali metal atom, such as gaseousrubidium, cesium, or sodium. The atom cell 310 may accommodate, asrequired, argon, neon, or any other rare gas or nitrogen or any otherinert gas as a buffer gas along with the alkali metal atom.

The light LL emitted from the light source 120 enters the atom cell 310.The wall of the atom cell 310 is made, for example, of glass. The wallof the atom cell 310 defines an internal space in the atom cell 310. Theinternal space in the atom cell 310 includes a first space 312, a secondspace 314, and a communication hole 316, as shown in FIG. 4.

The pressure in the first space 312 is, for example, the saturationvapor pressure of the alkali metal atom. The light LL emitted from thelight source 120 passes through the first space 312. The second space314 communicates with the first space 312 via the communication hole316. The volume of the second space 314 is smaller, for example, thanthe volume of the first space 312. The temperature in the second space314 is adjusted so as to be lower than the temperature in the firstspace 312. The alkali metal atom, for example, in a liquid form istherefore present in the second space 314. Therefore, in a case wherethe gaseous alkali metal atom in the first space 312, for example,reacts with the wall of the atom cell 310 and the amount of alkali metalatom decreases accordingly, the liquid alkali metal atom vaporizes,whereby the concentration of the gaseous alkali metal atom in the firstspace 312 can be maintained at a fixed value.

The light receiving device 320 is disposed on the side opposite thelight source 120 with respect to the atom cell 310. In the example shownin FIGS. 2 to 4, the light receiving device 320 is disposed in the firstatom cell container 340. The light receiving device 320 is electricallyconnected to the control unit 500.

The first holding member 330 holds the atom cell 310 in the first atomcell container 340. The first holding member 330 is in contact, forexample, with the wall that forms the atom cell 310 and defines thefirst space 312. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first holdingmember 330 is fixed to a wall 345 of the first atom cell container 340with the screw 331. The wall 345 is a −Y-axis-direction-side wall of thefirst atom cell container 340. The first holding member 330 transfersthe heat of the heater unit 380 to the alkali metal atom in the firstspace 312. The first holding member 330 is made, for example, ofaluminum, titanium, copper, or brass.

The first holding member 330 is provided with through holes 330 a and330 b. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 passes through thethrough hole 330 a and enters the atom cell 310. The light LL havingpassed through the atom cell 310 passes through the through hole 330 band impinges on the light receiving device 320. A member that transmitsthe light LL may be disposed in each of the through holes 330 a and 330b.

The second holding member 332 holds the atom cell 310 in the first atomcell container 340. The second holding member 332 is in contact, forexample, with the wall that forms the atom cell 310 and defines thesecond space 314. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the secondholding member 332 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340 with ascrew 333. The second holding member 332 transfers, for example, heat inthe second space 314 to the Peltier device 390. The second holdingmember 332 is provided so as to be separate from the first holdingmember 330. The temperature in the second space 314 can therefore beadjusted so as to be lower than the temperature in the first space 312.The second holding member 332 is made of the same material of which thefirst holding member 330 is made.

The first atom cell container 340 accommodates the atom cell 310, thelight receiving device 320, and the holding members 330 and 332. Thefirst atom cell container 340 is disposed on the support member 400 viathe positioning members 350 and 360. The first atom cell container 340has a roughly cubic outer shape. The first atom cell container 340 ismade, for example, of iron, ferrosilicon, permalloy, supermalloy,Sendust, or copper. The first atom cell container 340 made of any of thematerials described above can shield external magnetism. An effect ofexternal magnetism on the alkali metal atom in the atom cell 310 cantherefore be suppressed, whereby stable oscillation characteristics ofthe atomic oscillator 10 can be achieved. The term “suppress” includes acase where occurrence of a certain event is completely avoided and acase where even when the certain event occurs, the degree of the eventis reduced.

The first atom cell container 340 is provided with a through hole 340 a.The light LL emitted from the light source 120 passes through thethrough hole 340 a and enters the atom cell 310. A member that transmitsthe light LL may be provided in the through hole 340 a.

A heat transfer member 346 is disposed on an outer surface 34 f of thefirst atom cell container 340. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, theheat transfer member 346 has a plate shape and is fixed to the wall 345of the first atom cell container 340 with the screw 331. The heattransfer member 346 is disposed between the first atom cell container340 and the heater unit 380. The thermal conductivity of the heattransfer member 346 is higher, for example, than the thermalconductivity of the first atom cell container 340 and the thermalconductivity of a heater lid 383 of the heater unit 380. The heattransfer member 346 transfers the heat of the heater unit 380 to thealkali metal atom in the first space 312. The heat transfer member 346is made, for example, of aluminum or copper.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is aperspective view diagrammatically showing the first positioning member350. FIG. 8 is a plan view diagrammatically showing the firstpositioning member 350. In FIGS. 5 and 6, part of the members of theatomic oscillator 10 is omitted for convenience.

The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360are disposed on the support member 400, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thefirst positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360 arefixed to the support member 400. The support member 400 and the firstpositioning member 350 are independent of each other. That is, thesupport member 400 and the first positioning member 350 are notintegrated with each other and are separate from each other. Similarly,the support member 400 and the second positioning member 360 areindependent of each other. The material of the support member 400differs from the material of the positioning members 350 and 360.Although not shown, the support member 400 may be integrated with thefirst positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360. Thatis, a structural element having the same shape of the positioningmembers 350 and 360 may be formed as part of the support member 400.Providing at least the first positioning member 350 allows the atom cell310 to be disposed on the support member 400 with high positionalprecision. That is, the second positioning member 360 may be omitted. Inthe case where the second positioning member 360 is provided, the twopositioning members, the first positioning member 350 and the secondpositioning member 360, can position the atom cell 310.

The first positioning member 350 is disposed on the +Y-axis-directionside of the first atom cell container 340. The second positioning member360 is disposed on the −Y-axis-direction side of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The first atom cell container 340, when viewed in theZ-axis direction (direction along perpendicular P), is disposed betweenthe first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360.

The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360position the first atom cell container 340 with respect to the supportmember 400. To dispose the first atom cell container 340 on the supportmember 400, the positioning members 350 and 360 are first fixed to thesupport member 400, as shown in FIG. 5. The positioning members 350 and360 are then used to dispose the first atom cell container 340 on thesupport member 400 and to position the first atom cell container 340with respect to the support member 400, as shown in FIG. 6.

The first atom cell container 340 has a first corner 341 and a secondcorner 342. The first corner 341 is a −X-axis-direction-side and+Y-axis-direction-side corner of the first atom cell container 340 inthe example shown in FIG. 6. Outer surface 34 a, 34 b, and 34 cintersect one another, and the portion where the three surfacesintersect one another is the first corner 341. The second corner 342 isa +X-axis-direction-side and +Y-axis-direction-side corner of the firstatom cell container 340. The outer surface 34 a, 34 c, and 34 dintersect one another, and the portion where the three surfacesintersect one another is the second corner 342. The first positioningmember 350 includes a first block 352, which is in contact with thefirst corner 341, a second block 354, which is in contact with thesecond corner 342, and a connector 356, which connects the first block352 and the second block 354 to each other.

“A corner of the first atom cell container 340” has a vertex where threeouter surfaces of the first atom cell container 340 intersect oneanother and includes a portion in the vicinity of the vertex. The“portion in the vicinity of the vertex” is, for example, a portionstarting from the vertex where the three outer surfaces intersect oneanother and extending over one fourth the length of each edge of theouter surfaces.

The first block 352 includes a block base 352 a and block walls 352 band 352 c, which extend from the block base 352 a in the +Z-axisdirection. The block base 352 a is in contact with the−Z-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 a of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The block wall 352 b is in contact with the−X-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 b of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The block wall 352 c is in contact with the+Y-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 c of the first atom cellcontainer 340. As described above, the first block 352 is in contactwith the three outer surfaces 34 a, 34 b, and 34 c of the first atomcell container 340. The first positioning member 350 can thereforeposition the first atom cell container 340 in the X-axis, Y-axis, andZ-axis directions.

The second block 354 includes a block base 354 a and block walls 354 band 354 c, which extend from the block base 354 a in the +Z-axisdirection. The block base 354 a is in contact with the−Z-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 a of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The block wall 354 c is in contact with the+Y-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 c of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The block wall 354 b faces the +X-axis-direction-sideouter surface 34 d of the first atom cell container 340. The block wall354 b may be in contact with the outer surface 34 d or may be separatetherefrom.

The first block 352 is fixed to the support member 400 with first fixingstructures 357. The first fixing structures 357 are each formed, forexample, of a threaded hole 357 a, which is provided in the first block352, and a screw 357 b, which is inserted into the threaded hole 357 a,as shown in FIG. 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first fixingstructures 357 are two first fixing structures 357.

The second block 354 is fixed to the support member 400 with secondfixing structures 358. The second fixing structures 358 are each formed,for example, of a threaded hole 358 a, which is provided in the secondblock 354, and a screw 358 b, which is inserted into the threaded hole358 a. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second fixing structures 358are two second fixing structures 358.

The distance L1 between the first fixing structures 357 and the secondfixing structures 358 is greater than the distance L2 between the firstcorner 341 and the second corner 342. Therefore, even if the position ofthe second fixing structures 358 relative to the first fixing structures357 deviates from a desired position, angular deviation of the firstpositioning member 350 can be smaller than in a case where the distanceL1 is shorter than or equal to the distance L2. For example, even if theposition of the second fixing structures 358 is shifted in the Y-axisdirection, the angle of rotation of the first positioning member 350around an axis parallel to the axis Z can be reduced. The distance L1 isthe minimum distance between the first fixing structures 357 and thesecond fixing structures 358. The distance L2 is the distance betweenthe vertex of the first corner 341 and the vertex of the second corner342.

The connector 356 is, for example, a beam-shaped member that connectsthe block base 352 a and the block base 354 a to each other. In theexample shown in FIG. 5, the connector 356 extends in the X-axisdirection. The connector 356 may be in contact with the first atom cellcontainer 340 or may be separate therefrom.

The second positioning member 360, for example, has the same shape ofthe first positioning member 350, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The firstatom cell container 340 has a third corner 343 and a fourth corner 344.In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the third corner 343 is a−X-axis-direction-side and −Y-axis-direction-side corner of the firstatom cell container 340. The fourth corner 344 is a+X-axis-direction-side and −Y-axis-direction-side corner of the firstatom cell container 340. The second positioning member 360 includes athird block 362, which is in contact with the third corner 343, a fourthblock 364, which is in contact with the fourth corner 344, and aconnector 366, which connects the third block 362 and the fourth block364 to each other.

The third block 362 includes a block base 362 a and block walls 362 band 362 c. The fourth block 364 includes a block base 364 a and blockwalls 364 b and 364 c. The block wall 362 b is in contact with the−X-axis-direction-side outer surface 34 b of the first atom cellcontainer 340. The block walls 362 c, 364 b, and 364 c may be in contactwith the first atom cell container 340 or may be separate therefrom.

The third block 362 is fixed to the support member 400 with third fixingstructures 367, as is the first block 352. The fourth block 364 is fixedto the support member 400 with fourth fixing structures 368, as is thesecond block 354.

The first positioning member 350 and the second positioning member 360are each a thermally insulating member. The positioning members 350 and360 are made, for example, of a resin material, such as an engineeringplastic material, a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) resin, and polyetherether ketone (PEEK). The positioning members 350 and 360, which are eacha thermally insulating member, suppress, for example, transfer of theheat of the heater unit 380 to the light source 120 via the supportmember 400. If the heat of the heater unit 380 transfers to the lightsource 120 via the support member 400, a desired temperature of thelight source 120 cannot be achieved in some cases. The “thermallyinsulating member” is a member having a thermal conductivity of 1 W/mKor lower.

The spacers 369 are disposed between a +Z-axis-direction-side outersurface 34 e of the first atom cell container 340 and the second atomcell container 370. The spacers 369 are formed, for example, of fourspacers 369, as shown in FIG. 6. In the example shown in FIG. 6, thespacers 369 are disposed at the +Z-axis-direction-side corners of thefirst atom cell container 340. The material of the spacers 369 is, forexample, the same material of the positioning members 350 and 360.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the atomicoscillator 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is anenlarged view of a region a shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, part of themembers of the atomic oscillator 10 is omitted for convenience.

The second atom cell container 370 accommodates the first atom cellcontainer 340. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the second atom cellcontainer 370 includes plate-shaped fixers 372 each provided with athrough hole, and the fixers 372 are each fixed to the support member400 with a screw 374. The second atom cell container 370 includes, forexample, three fixers 372 and is therefore fixed to the support member400 at three locations, as shown in FIG. 4.

The second atom cell container 370 is made, for example, of the samematerial of the first atom cell container 340. The second atom cellcontainer 370 can shield external magnetism. Since the spacers 369 aredisposed between the first atom cell container 340 and the second atomcell container 370, the first atom cell container 340 and the secondatom cell container 370 are separate from each other. The function ofshielding external magnetism can therefore be enhanced as compared, forexample, with a case where the first atom cell container 340 and thesecond atom cell container 370 are in contact with each other. The atomcell containers 340 and 370 may be formed in a machining process.

The second atom cell container 370 is provided with a through hole 370a. The light LL emitted from the light source 120 passes through thethrough hole 370 a and enters the atom cell 310. A member that transmitsthe light LL may be provided in the through hole 370 a.

A thermally insulating member 376 is disposed between each of the fixers372 of the second atom cell container 370 and the support member 400, asshown in FIG. 10. The thermally insulating members 376 can suppresstransfer of the heat of the heater unit 380 to the light source 120 viathe second atom cell container 370 and the support member 400. Thethermally insulating members 376 may each be a washer. The thermallyinsulating members 376 are made, for example, of the same material ofthe positioning members 350 and 360.

The heater unit 380 is in contact with the heat transfer member 346, asshown in FIG. 4. The heater unit 380 includes a heating device 381, aheater container (heating device holding member) 382, thermallyinsulating members 386 and 387, a thermally insulating member 385, andscrews (heating device fixing screws) 389.

The heating device 381 is disposed at the outer surface 34 f of thefirst atom cell container 340. In the example shown in FIG. 4, theheating device 381 is disposed at the outer surface 34 f of the firstatom cell container 340 with the heating device 381 accommodated in theheater container 382. The heating device 381 is a device that heats theatom cell 310. Specifically, the heating device 381 is a device forheating the alkali metal atom in the first space 312. The heating device381 is, for example, a heating resistor. The heating device 381 may be aPeltier device in place of a heating resistor or in addition thereto.

The heater container 382 accommodates the heating device 381. The heatercontainer 382 includes a heater lid 383 and a heater base 384.

The heater lid 383 is disposed between the heating device 381 and theatom cell 310. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the heater lid 383 isshaped so as to have a recess in which the heating device 381 isdisposed. The heater lid 383 is in contact with the heat transfer member346. The heater lid 383 has through holes 383 a, through which thescrews 389 pass. The heater base 384 is disposed on the side oppositethe atom cell 310 with respect to the heating device 381. In the exampleshown in FIG. 4, the heater base 384 has a plate shape. The heater base384 has through holes 384 a, through which the screws 389 pass.

The heater lid 383 and the heater base 384 are fixed to each other withthe screws 389. Further, the heater container 382 is fixed to the secondatom cell container 370 with the screws 389. In the example shown inFIG. 4, the screws 389 are two screws 389, and the heating device 381 isdisposed between the two screws 389. The screws 389 are made, forexample, of a metal.

The heater lid 383 and the heater base 384 are made, for example, of thesame material of the first atom cell container 340. The heater lid 383and the heater base 384 therefore shield magnetism. The heater container382 can therefore shield magnetism produced by the heating device 381.An effect of the magnetism from the heating device 381 on the alkalimetal atom in the atom cell 310 can therefore be suppressed, wherebystable oscillation characteristics of the atomic oscillator 10 can beachieved. The heater container 382 may be formed of an arbitrary numberof members and may have an arbitrary shape as long as the heatercontainer 382 can shield the magnetism produced by the heating device381.

The thermally insulating members 385, 386, and 387 are disposed betweenthe heater lid 383 and the heater base 384 and shifted from the heatingdevice 381 toward the heater base 384. In the atomic oscillator 10, theplurality of thermally insulating members 385, 386, and 387 are thusdisposed between the heater lid 383 and the heater base 384 and shiftedfrom the heating device 381 toward the heater base 384. The thermallyinsulating members 385, 386, and 387 only need to be located so that atleast part thereof is shifted from the heating device 381 toward theheater base 384. The thermally insulating members 385, 386, and 387 aremade, for example, of the same material of the positioning members 350and 360.

The thermally insulating member 385 is accommodated in the heatercontainer 382. The thermally insulating member 385 is disposed on theside opposite the atom cell 310 with respect to the heating device 381.That is, the thermally insulating member 385 is disposed between theheating device 381 and the heater base 384. Transfer of the heat of theheating device 381 to the side opposite the atom cell 310 can thus besuppressed, whereby the heat of the heating device 381 can beefficiently transferred to the atom cell 310. The thermally insulatingmember 385 may instead be a film made of a thermally insulating materialand deposited on the heater base 384.

The thermally insulating members 386 and 387 are disposed in the throughholes 383 a in the heater lid 383. The thermally insulating members 386and 387 are each a washer having a first portion 388 a, which isdisposed between the heater lid 383 and the heater base 384, and asecond portion 388 b, which is disposed in the corresponding throughhole 383 a in the heater lid 383. The thermally insulating members 386and 387 in the present embodiment each have a structure in which thefirst portion 388 a and the second portion 388 b are integrated witheach other, but the first portion 388 a and the second portion 388 b mayinstead be components independent of each other. That is, a membercorresponding to the first portion 388 a and a member corresponding tothe second portion 388 b may be combined with each other. Still instead,only the member corresponding to one of the first portion 388 a and thesecond portion 388 b may be used.

The diameter of the first portions 388 a is greater than the diameter ofthe through holes 383 a in the heater lid 383, and the diameter of thesecond portions 388 b is smaller than the diameter of the through holes383 a in the heater lid 383. That is, the diameter of the first portions388 a is greater than that of the second portions 388 b. Further, thediameter of the first portions 388 a is greater than the diameter of thethrough holes 384 a in the heater base 384. The thermally insulatingmembers 386 and 387 are each provided with a through hole through whichthe corresponding screw 389 passes. The length of the second portions388 b is greater than the thickness of the heater lid 383, in otherwords, the length of the through holes 383 a in the heater lid 383.Further, the diameter of threaded holes which are provided in the secondatom cell container 370 and through which the screws 389 pass is smallerthan the diameter of the second portions 388 b of the thermallyinsulating members 386 and 387.

Since the thermally insulating members 386 and 387, specifically, thefirst portions 388 a can lower the possibility of contact between theheater lid 383 and the heater base 384, transfer of the heat produced bythe heating device 381 and transferred to the heater lid 383 to theheater base 384 can be suppressed. Further, the second portions 388 bcan suppress transfer of the heat produced by the heating device 381 andtransferred to the heater lid 383 to the heater base 384 via the screws389. The heat of the heating device 381 can thus be efficientlytransferred to the atom cell 310. Further, since the length of thesecond portions 388 b is greater than the thickness of the heater lid383, contact between the heater lid 383 and the second atom cellcontainer 370 can be avoided. Since the diameter of the threaded holeswhich are provided in the second atom cell container 370 and throughwhich the screws 389 pass is smaller than the diameter of the secondportions 388 b of the thermally insulating members 386 and 387, theconfiguration can also prevent contact between the heater lid 383 andthe second atom cell container 370. Transfer of the heat produced by theheating device 381 and transferred to the heater lid 383 to the secondatom cell container 370 can therefore be suppressed. In the exampleshown in FIG. 4, the thermally insulating member 386 is disposed on the+X-axis-direction side of the thermally insulating member 385, and thethermally insulating member 387 is disposed on the −X-axis-directionside of the thermally insulating member 385.

Although not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the temperature sensor 322 isdisposed in the vicinity of the atom cell 310. The temperature sensor322 is, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or any of a varietyof other temperature sensors.

Although not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the coil 324 is, for example, asolenoid-type coil in which a wire is wound along the outercircumference of the atom cell 310 or a pair of Helmholtz-type coilsthat face each other with the atom cell 310 therebetween. The coil 324produces a magnetic field in the atom cell 310 and in the directionalong the optical axis A of the light LL. The magnetic field enlarges,based on Zeeman splitting, the gap between the degenerated differentenergy levels of the alkali metal atom accommodated in the atom cell 310for improvement in the resolution and reduction in the linewidth of theEIT signal.

Although not shown, a flexible substrate including wiring for externallysupplying the heating device 381 with electric power may be disposed onthe side opposite the heating device 381 with respect to the thermallyinsulating member 385. Transfer of the heat of the heating device 381 tothe flexible substrate can thus be suppressed, whereby the heat of theheating device 381 can be efficiently transferred to the atom cell 310.

The Peltier device 390 is disposed in the second atom cell container370, as shown in FIG. 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the Peltierdevice 390 is disposed on the +Z-axis-direction-side outer surface ofthe second atom cell container 370. The Peltier device 390 is controlledby the temperature controller 510 so as to transfer the heat from thesecond atom cell container 370 to an outer lid 620 of the outercontainer 600. The temperature controller 510 may control the Peltierdevice 390 based on the result of detection performed by a temperaturesensor (not shown).

A heat transfer member 392 is disposed between the Peltier device 390and the outer lid 620 of the outer container 600. The thermalconductivity of the heat transfer member 392 is, for example, higherthan the thermal conductivity of the outer lid 620. The heat transfermember 392 has, for example, a plate shape of a sheet shape. The heattransfer member 392 is made, for example, of aluminum, titanium, copper,or highly heat-dissipative silicone. The heat transfer member 392transfers the heat dissipated via a heat dissipating surface of thePeltier device 390 to the outer lid 620.

The support member 400 is fixed in the form of a cantilever to the outerbase 610 of the outer container 600, as shown in FIG. 2. The supportmember 400 is fixed, for example, to a mount seat 611 of the outer base610 with two screws 602, as shown in FIG. 3. The support member 400 hasa fixed end 402 and a free end 404. In the example shown in FIG. 2, thesupport member 400 has a −X-axis-direction-side end, which is the fixedend 402, and a +X-axis-direction-side end, which is the free end 404. Anair gap 6 is present between the outer base 610 and the portion of thesupport member 400 other than the fixed portion, that is, the portionother than the fixed end 402 in the present embodiment. That is, the airgap 6 is present between the free end 404 and the outer base 610. Thesupport member 400 may be made, for example, of aluminum or copper, orthe support member 400 may be formed, for example, of a carbon sheetcontaining carbon fibers. The support member 400 may instead be fixed tothe outer base 610 with an adhesive.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the supportmember 400. The support member 400 includes an atom cell support 410,which faces the outer base 610, and a light source support 420, which islocated along the +Z-axis direction with respect to the atom cellsupport 410. The atom cell support 410 is provided with a through hole412, which passes through the atom cell support 410 in the Z-axisdirection, and the atom cell support 410 has a frame shape when viewedin the Z-axis direction. The light source support 420 is provided with athrough hole 422, which passes through the light source support 420 inthe X-axis direction. The light source support 420 is disposed on theside facing the fixed end 402 of the support member 400.

The light source unit 100, the optical system unit 200, and the atomcell unit 300 are disposed on the support member 400, as shown in FIGS.2 and 3.

The light source unit 100 is disposed on the side facing one of thefixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, that is,on the side facing the fixed end 402. The light source unit 100 is fixedto the −X-axis-direction-side surface of the light source support 420,for example, with screws (not shown) in such a way that the light sourcecontainer 140 is located in the through hole 422. In the example shownin the drawings, the light source 120 is disposed on the side facing thefixed end 402 of the support member 400 via the light source container140 and the light source substrate 150. The optical system unit 200 isfixed to the +X-axis-direction-side surface of the light source support420, for example, with screws (not shown).

The atom cell unit 300 is disposed on the side facing one of the fixedend 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, that is, on theside facing the free end 404. The atom cell unit 300 is disposed on theside facing the free end 404 so as to overlap with the through hole 412when viewed in the Z-axis direction. In the example shown in thedrawings, the atom cell unit 300 is fixed to the atom cell support 410with the screws 374. In the example shown in the drawings, the atom cell310 is disposed on the side facing the free end 404 of the supportmember 400 via the first holding member 330, the first atom cellcontainer 340, the positioning members 350 and 360, and the second atomcell container 370.

The configuration described above in which the support member 400 isfixed in the form of a cantilever to the outer base 610 can suppressdeformation of the support member 400 due, for example, to stressresulting from the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansionbetween the support member 400 and the outer base 610. If the supportmember 400 is fixed to the outer base 610 with the two ends of thesupport member 400 fixed thereto, the support member 400 is deformed insome cases due to the stress resulting from the difference in thecoefficient of terminal expansion between the two components.

The atomic oscillator 10 includes a protrusion 440, which is disposed inthe support member 400. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional viewdiagrammatically showing the support member 400, the protrusion 440, ascrew 442, and the outer base 610 and is a cross-sectional view takenalong the line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

The protrusion 440 is disposed on the side facing the free end 404 ofthe support member 400, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12. The protrusion 440is disposed in a surface of the support member 400 that is the surfacefacing the outer base 610 and protrudes beyond the surface toward theouter base 610. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 440 isfixed to the support member 400 with the screw 442. The protrusion 440may be a washer.

In a case where the support member 400 bends toward the outer base 610and the free end 404 therefore approaches the outer base 610, theprotrusion 440 comes into contact with the outer base 610 before thesupport member 400 does. The protrusion 440 can therefore suppressdeformation of the support member 400, for example, even when force inthe Z-axis direction externally acts on the atomic oscillator 10. Aslong as the position of the protrusion 440 is closer to the free end 404than to the fixed end 402, appropriately designing the height of theprotrusion 440 can suppress deformation of the support member 400. Theprotrusion 440 does not necessarily have a specific shape and may, forexample, have a rod shape.

In the example shown in the drawings, the light source unit 100 isdisposed on the side facing one of the fixed end 402 and the free end404 of the support member 400, that is, on the side facing the fixed end402, and the atom cell unit 300 is disposed on the side facing one ofthe fixed end 402 and the free end 404 of the support member 400, thatis, on the side facing the free end 404. The protrusion 440 cantherefore suppress the amount of shift of the atom cell 310 with respectto the light source 120.

An air gap 2 is present between the protrusion 440 and the outer base610. At least a facing portion 444, which is a portion of the protrusion440 and faces the outer base 610, is made of a thermally insulatingmaterial. Specifically, the protrusion 440 is a thermally insulatingmember and is made, for example, of the same material of the positioningmembers 350 and 360. The fact that the facing portion 444 of theprotrusion 440 is made of a thermally insulating material can suppress,even when the protrusion 440 comes into contact with the outer base 610,transfer of the heat of the heater unit 380 to the outer base 610 viathe second atom cell container 370, the support member 400, and theprotrusion 440. If the heat of the heater unit 380 transfers to theouter base 610 via the protrusion 440, the heat of the heater unit 380transfers to the light source 120, and a desired temperature of thelight source 120 cannot be achieved in some cases. Although not shown,the facing portion 444 may be made of a thermally insulating material,and the portion of the protrusion 440 other than the facing portion 444may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity. Stillinstead, the protrusion 440 may not be made of a thermally insulatingmaterial.

The control unit 500 includes a circuit substrate 502, as shown in FIG.2. The circuit substrate 502 is fixed to the outer base 610 via aplurality of lead pins 504. An integrated (IC) chip that is not shown isdisposed on the circuit substrate 502, and the IC chip functions as thetemperature controller 510, the light source controller 520, themagnetic field controller 530, and the temperature controller 540. TheIC chip is electrically connected to the light source unit 100 and theatom cell unit 300. The circuit substrate 502 is provided with a throughhole 503, through which the support member 400 is inserted.

The outer container 600 accommodates the light source unit 100, theoptical system unit 200, the atom cell unit 300, the support member 400,the protrusion 440, and the control unit 500. The outer container 600includes the outer base 610 and the outer lid 620, which is a componentseparate from the outer base 610. The outer container 600 is made, forexample, of the same material of the first atom cell container 340. Theouter container 600 can therefore shield external magnetism, whereby aneffect of external magnetism on the alkali metal atom in the atom cell310 can be suppressed.

The outer container 600 has a first outer container surface 612 and asecond outer container surface 622 different from the first outercontainer surface 612. Specifically, the outer base 610 has the firstouter container surface 612, and the outer lid 620 has the second outercontainer surface 622.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first outer container surface 612 isa surface that forms the outer base 610 and is oriented in the +Z-axisdirection, and the direction of the perpendicular P to the first outercontainer surface 612 is the Z-axis direction. The first outer containersurface 612 has a first region 612 a, which is the upper surface of themount seat 611, and a second region 612 b and a third region 612 c,which are disposed so as to sandwich the first region 612 a when viewedin the Z-axis direction. The support member 400 is disposed on the firstouter container surface 612. The second outer container surface 622 is asurface facing the first outer container surface 612. In the exampleshown in FIG. 2, the second outer container surface 622 is a surfacethat forms the outer lid 620 and is oriented in the −Z-axis direction.

The light source unit 100 is connected to the first outer containersurface 612. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the light source unit 100is connected to the first outer container surface 612 via the supportmember 400 and a heat transfer member 614. The term “connected” includesa case where a member A and a member B (or surface B) are directlyconnected to each other and a case where the member A and the member Bare indirectly connected to each other via a member C. The heat transfermember 614 is provided between the support member 400 and the firstouter container surface 612. The heat transfer member 614 has, forexample, a plate shape or a sheet shape. The thermal conductivity of theheat transfer member 614 is higher than the thermal conductivity of thesupport member 400 and the thermal conductivity of the outer base 610.The heat transfer member 614 is made, for example, of aluminum,titanium, copper, or highly heat-dissipative silicone.

An air gap 4 is present between the light source unit 100 and the secondouter container surface 622. That is, the light source unit 100 isdisposed so as to be separate from the second outer container surface622. In other words, the light source unit 100 is not connected to thesecond outer container surface 622.

The atom cell unit 300 is connected to the second outer containersurface 622. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the atom cell unit 300 isconnected to the second outer container surface 622 via the heattransfer member 392. The atom cell 310 is connected to the outer lid620. In the example shown in the drawings, the atom cell 310 isconnected to the outer lid 620 via the holding members 330 and 332, thefirst atom cell container 340, the spacers 369, the Peltier device 390,and the heat transfer member 392.

An air gap 6 is present between the atom cell unit 300 and the firstouter container surface 612. That is, the atom cell unit 300 is disposedso as to be separate from the first outer container surface 612.

In the example shown in the drawings, the light source unit 100 isconnected to the outer container 600 only via the first outer containersurface 612, and the atom cell unit 300 is connected to the outercontainer 600 only via the second outer container surface 622. As longas the light source unit 100 and the atom cell unit 300 are notconnected to the same surface, the light source unit 100 and the outercontainer 600 may not be connected to each other only via the firstouter container surface 612, or the atom cell unit 300 and the outercontainer 600 may not be connected to each other only via the secondouter container surface 622. For example, the light source unit 100 andthe outer container 600 may be connected to each other via a surfacedifferent from the first outer container surface 612 and the secondouter container surface 622 in addition to the first outer containersurface 612. Further, the atom cell unit 300 and the outer container 600may be connected to each other via a surface different from the firstouter container surface 612 and the second outer container surface 622in addition to the second outer container surface 622.

Since the light source unit 100 is connected to the first outercontainer surface 612 but is separate from the second outer containersurface 622, and the atom cell unit 300 is connected to the second outercontainer surface 622 but is separate from the first outer containersurface 612, the heat of the light source unit 100 (specifically, heatof Peltier device 110) can be dissipated out of the outer base 610having the first outer container surface 612, and the heat of the atomcell unit 300 (specifically, heat of heater unit 380) can be dissipatedout of the outer lid 620 having the second outer container surface 622.Transfer of the heat of the light source unit 120 to the atom cell 310and transfer of the heat of the atom cell unit 300 to the light sourceunit 100, for example, via the outer base 610 can therefore besuppressed.

First thermal resistance along the path between the light source unit100 and the atom cell unit 300 via the support member 400 is higher thansecond thermal resistance between the light source unit 100 and thefirst outer container surface 612 and third thermal resistance betweenthe atom cell unit 300 and the second outer container surface 622. Thesecond thermal resistance is, for example, the thermal resistance alongthe path between the light source unit 100 and the first outer containersurface 612 via the support member 400. The third thermal resistance is,for example, the thermal resistance along the path between the atom cellunit 300 and the second outer container surface 622 via the heattransfer member 392.

The thermal resistance represents how difficult the temperaturetransfers. Thermal resistance R (K/W) of a member is in generalcalculated by R=L/(λ·S), where λ (W/m·K) represents the thermalconductivity of the member, S (m²) represents the cross-sectional areaof the member, and L (m) represents the length of the member, andprovided that a temperature difference ΔT occurs along the length of themember. In a case where the member has a complicated shape or a casewhere the member is formed of a large number of parts, composite thermalresistance can be roughly calculated by a thermal simulation. Forexample, in a simulation using a model formed of the light source unit100, the atom cell unit 300, the support member 400, and the outercontainer surfaces 612 and 622, the magnitudes of the first, second,third thermal resistance can be grasped by heating the light source unit100 and the atom cell unit 300 and determining the temperatures of thesupport member 400 and the outer container surfaces 612 and 622.

The support member 400 is provided with the through hole 412, asdescribed above. The through hole 412 causes the portion of the atomcell support 410 and between the portion where the atom cell unit 300 isdisposed and the light source support 420 to be narrow, that is, to havea small cross-sectional area. The first thermal resistance can thus beincreased. Further, the atom cell unit 300 is disposed so as to overlapwith the through hole 412 when viewed in the Z-axis direction. That is,a larger air gap is present between the atom cell unit 300 and the firstouter container surface 612 than in a case where no through hole 412 ispresent. The heat transfer between the atom cell unit 300 and the firstouter container surface 612 can therefore be suppressed as compared withthe case where no through hole 412 is present.

FIG. 13 illustrates the positioning of the atom cell 310 with respect tothe support member 400.

The atom cell 310 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340toward the heating device 381 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 13). In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the wall 345 ofthe first atom cell container 340 in the −Y-axis direction. The atomcell 310 is held by the first holding member 330, and the first holdingmember 330 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 towardthe heating device 381. As described above, in the example shown in FIG.13, the first holding member 330, which holds the atom cell 310, ispressed, and the atom cell 310 is in turn pressed.

The atom cell 310 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340 with thescrew 331. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the first holding member330, which holds the atom cell 310, is fixed to the first atom cellcontainer 340 with the screw 331. The atom cell 310 is thus fixed to thefirst atom cell container 340.

Since the atom cell 310 is thus fixed to the first atom cell container340 with the screw 331, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the firstatom cell container 340 toward the heating device 381. In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, since the first holding member 330 is fixed to thefirst atom cell container 340 with the screw 331, the first holdingmember 330 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 towardthe heating device 381.

Specifically, when the screw 331 caused to pass through a through holein the first atom cell container 340 is threaded and fastened into athreaded hole in the first holding member 330, force that fastens thefirst atom cell container 340 to the first holding member 330 (fasteningforce) is produced, whereby the first atom cell container 340 isfastened to the first holding member 330. The fastening force causes thefirst holding member 330, that is, the atom cell 310 to be pressedagainst the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating device 381.

The heating device 381 is pressed against the first atom cell container340 toward the atom cell 310 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 13). In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, the heating device 381 is pressed in the +Y-axisdirection against the wall 345 of the first atom cell container 340. Theheating device 381 is held in the heater container 382, and the heatercontainer 382 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340toward the atom cell 310. As described above, in the example shown inFIG. 13, the heater container 382, which holds the heating device 381,is pressed, and the heating device 381 is in turn pressed.

The heating device 381 is fixed to the second atom cell container 370,which accommodates the first atom cell container 340, with the screws389. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the heater container 382, whichholds the heating device 381, is fixed to the second atom cell container370 with the screws 389. The heating device 381 is thus fixed to thesecond atom cell container 370.

When the heating device 381 is fixed to the second atom cell container370 with the screws 389, the heating device 381 is pressed against thefirst atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell 310. In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, when the heater container 382 is fixed to the secondatom cell container 370 with the screws 389, the heater container 382 ispressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell310.

Specifically, when the screws 389 caused to pass through the throughholes 383 a and 384 a in the heater container 382 are threaded andfastened into threaded holes in the second atom cell container 370,force that fastens the heater container 382 to the second atom cellcontainer 370 (fastening force) is produced, whereby the heatercontainer 382 is fastened to the second atom cell container 370. Thefastening force causes the heater container 382, that is, the heatingdevice 381 to be pressed against the first atom cell container 340toward the atom cell 310.

The heating device 381 is pressed against the first atom cell container340 toward the atom cell 310, and the first atom cell container 340 isin turn pressed against the first positioning member 350. In the exampleshown in the drawings, the first atom cell container 340 has the outersurface (first surface) 34 f, on which the heating device 381 isdisposed, and the outer surface (second surface) 34 c, which is locatedon the side opposite the outer surface 34 f with respect to the atomcell 310, and the outer surface 34 c is pressed against the block walls352 c and 354 c (see FIGS. 5 and 7) of the first positioning member 350.When the first atom cell container 340 is pressed against the firstpositioning member 350, the first holding member 330, that is, the atomcell 310 is positioned with respect to a reference surface that isformed of the surfaces which form the block walls 352 c and 354 c andagainst which the outer surface 34 c is pressed. The atom cell 310 cantherefore be disposed with respect to the support member 400 with highpositional precision.

Further, the atom cell 310 is pressed against the first atom cellcontainer 340 toward the heating device 381 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 13),and the heating device 381 is pressed against the first atom cellcontainer 340 toward the atom cell 310 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 13), asdescribed above. The atom cell 310 can therefore be efficiently heated.

The atomic oscillator 10 has, for example, the following features.

In the atomic oscillator 10, the heating device 381 is pressed againstthe first atom cell container 340 toward the atom cell 310, and thefirst atom cell container 340 is in turn pressed against the positioningmember 350. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the atom cell 310can be disposed with respect to the support member 400 with highpositional precision. As described above, in the atomic oscillator 10,the force that presses the heating device 381 toward the atom cell 310against the first atom cell container 340 is used to press the firstatom cell container 340 against the positioning member 350, whereby thefirst atom cell container 340 is positioned.

Further, in the atomic oscillator 10, since the atom cell 310 is pressedagainst the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating device 381,the atom cell 310 can be efficiently heated. The atomic oscillator 10 istherefore allowed to have stable oscillation characteristics.

In the atomic oscillator 10, the first atom cell container 340 has theouter surface 34 f, on which the heating device 381 is disposed, and theouter surface 34 c, which faces the outer surface 34 f, and the outersurface 34 c of the first atom cell container 340 is pressed against thefirst positioning member 350. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10,the atom cell 310 is positioned with respect to the reference surfacethat is formed of the surfaces which form the first positioning member350 and against which the outer surface 34 c is pressed, whereby theatom cell 310 can be disposed with respect to the support member 400with high positional precision.

In the atomic oscillator 10, the heater container 382, which holds theheating device 381, is pressed against the first atom cell container 340toward the atom cell 310. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, theatom cell 310 can be efficiently heated.

In the atomic oscillator 10, the first holding member 330 is pressedagainst the first atom cell container 340 toward the heating device 381.Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the atom cell 310 can beefficiently heated.

In the atomic oscillator 10, when the heating device 381 is fixed to thesecond atom cell container 370 with the screws 389, the heating device381 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the atomcell 310. The magnitude of the fastening force that is produced by thescrews 389 and fixes the heating device 318 to the second atom cellcontainer 370 can be adjusted by the degree representing how tight thescrews 389 are fastened. That is, the degree representing how tight thescrews 389 are fastened allows adjustment of the force that presses thefirst atom cell container 340 against the first positioning member 350.Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 10, the first atom cell container340 can be pressed against the first positioning member 350 withappropriate force, whereby the atom cell 310 can be disposed withrespect to the support member 400 with high positional precision.

In the atomic oscillator 10, when the atom cell 310 is fixed to thefirst atom cell container 340 with the screw 331, the atom cell 310 ispressed against the first atom cell container 340 toward the heatingdevice 381. The magnitude of the fastening force that is produced by thescrew 331 and fixes the atom cell 310 to the first atom cell container340 can be adjusted by the degree representing how tight the screw 331are fastened. The atom cell 310 can therefore be pressed against thefirst atom cell container 340 with appropriate force. Therefore, in theatomic oscillator 10, the atom cell 310 can be efficiently heated.

2. Variations of Atomic Oscillator

2.1. First Variation

An atomic oscillator according to a first variation of the presentembodiment will be described next with reference to the drawings. FIG.14 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing an atomicoscillator 16 according to the first variation of the presentembodiment. In FIG. 14, part of the atom cell unit 300 is shown forconvenience.

The atomic oscillator 16 according to the first variation of the presentembodiment will be described about points different from those in thecase of the atomic oscillator 10 according to the present embodimentdescribed above, and the same points will not be described. The sameholds true for an atomic oscillator according to a second variation ofthe present embodiment that will be described later.

In the atomic oscillator 10 described above, the heater container 382 isfixed to the second atom cell container 370 with the screws 389, and thefirst holding member 330 is fixed to the first atom cell container 340with the screw 331, as shown in FIG. 4.

In contrast, the atomic oscillator 16 includes screws 389 that fix theheater container 382 to the second atom cell container 370 and furtherfix the first holding member 330 to the first atom cell container 340,as shown in FIG. 14. That is, in the atomic oscillator 16, the firstholding member 330, the first atom cell container 340, the heatercontainer 382, and the second atom cell container 370 are all fastenedwith the screws 389.

Since the heater container 382 is fixed to the second atom cellcontainer 370 with the screws 389, and the first holding member 330 isfixed to the first atom cell container 340 with the screws 389, theheating device 381 is pressed against the first atom cell container 340toward the atom cell 310, and the atom cell 310 is pressed against thefirst atom cell container 340 toward the heating device 381. Therefore,the atom cell 310 can be efficiently heated, and the atom cell 310 canbe disposed with high positional precision, as in the atomic oscillator10 described above.

Since the atomic oscillator 16 includes the screws 389 that fix theheater container 382 to the second atom cell container 370 and furtherfix the first holding member 330 to the first atom cell container 340,the size of the atomic oscillator can be reduced as compared, forexample, with the case where the atomic oscillator includes the screws389 that fix the heater container 382 to the second atom cell container370 and the screw 331, which fixes the first holding member 330 to thefirst atom cell container 340, as shown in FIG. 4.

2.2. Second Variation

An atomic oscillator according to a second variation of the presentembodiment will be described next with reference to the drawings. FIG.15 is a cross-sectional view diagrammatically showing an atomicoscillator 17 according to the second variation of the presentembodiment. In FIG. 15, members excluding the atom cell 310, the lightreceiving device 320, the heat transfer member 346, the first atom cellcontainer 340, the first positioning member 350, and the heater unit 380are omitted for convenience.

In the atomic oscillator 10 described above, the heating device 381 ispressed in the +Y-axis direction against the first atom cell container340 (see arrow F2 in FIG. 13), whereby the first atom cell container 340is pressed against the first positioning member 350, as shown in FIG.13. The atom cell 310 is thus positioned in the Y-axis direction.

In contrast, in the atomic oscillator 17, the heating device 381 ispressed against the first atom cell container 340 in a direction thatinclines with respect to the axis Y, that is, both in the +X-axisdirection and the +Y-axis direction (see arrow F3 in FIG. 15), wherebythe first atom cell container 340 is pressed against the firstpositioning member 350, as shown in FIG. 15. The atom cell 310 cantherefore be positioned both in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the first atom cell container 340 hasan outer surface 34 g. The outer surface 34 g is a surface whichconnects the outer surface 34 b and the outer surface 34 f to each otherand where a perpendicular to the outer surface 34 g inclines withrespect to the axes X and Y. The outer surface 34 g is a surface formed,for example, by truncating the corner formed by the outer surfaces 34 band 34 f. A perpendicular to the outer surface 34 g inclines withrespect to the axis Y. In the example shown in FIG. 15, a perpendicularto the outer surface 34 g passes through the space between the axis Xand the axis Y.

In the atomic oscillator 17, the heater container 382 is disposed on theouter surface 34 g of the first atom cell container 340. Therefore, whenthe heating device 381 (heater container 382) is pressed, the first atomcell container 340 is pressed so that the outer surface 34 c, which isoriented in the +Y-axis direction, is pressed against the block walls354 c and 352 c and the outer surface 34 d, which is oriented in the+X-axis direction, is pressed against the block wall 354 b. The atomcell 310 can therefore be positioned in the X-axis and Y-axisdirections. Therefore, in the atomic oscillator 17, the atom cell 310can be disposed with respect to the support member 400 with higherpositional precision.

3. Frequency Signal Generation System

A frequency signal generation system according to an embodiment of theinvention will be described next with reference to the drawings. Thefollowing clock transmission system (timing server) is an example of thefrequency signal generation system. FIG. 16 is a schematic configurationdiagram showing a clock transmission system 90.

The clock transmission system according to the embodiment of theinvention includes the atomic oscillator according to the embodiment ofthe invention. In the following description, the clock transmissionsystem 90 including the atomic oscillator 10 will be described by way ofexample.

The clock transmission system 90 is a system that causes clocks used inapparatus in a time division multiplex network to coincide with oneanother and has a normal-system (N-system) and emergency-system(E-system) redundant configuration.

The clock transmission system 90 includes a clock supply apparatus 901and a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) apparatus 902 in a station A(upper-level station (N-system station)), a clock supply apparatus 903and an SDH apparatus 904 in a station B (upper-level station (E-systemstation)), and a clock supply apparatus 905 and SDH apparatus 906, 907in a station C (lower-level station), as shown in FIG. 16. The clocksupply apparatus 901 includes the atomic oscillator 10 and generates anN-system clock signal. The atomic oscillator 10 in the clock supplyapparatus 901 generates the clock signal in synchronization with moreprecise clock signals from master clocks 908 and 909 each including acesium-based atomic oscillator.

The SDH apparatus 902 transmits and receives a primary signal,superimposes the N-system clock signal on the primary signal, andtransmits the resultant signal to the lower-level clock supply apparatus905 based on the clock signal from the clock supply apparatus 901. Theclock supply apparatus 903 includes the atomic oscillator 10 andgenerates an E-system clock signal. The atomic oscillator 10 in theclock supply apparatus 903 generates the clock signal in synchronizationwith the more precise clock signals from the master clocks 908 and 909each including a cesium-based atomic oscillator.

The SDH apparatus 904 transmits and receives a primary signal,superimposes the E-system clock signal on the primary signal, andtransmits the resultant signal to the lower-level clock supply apparatus905 based on the clock signal from the clock supply apparatus 903. Theclock supply apparatus 905 receives the clock signals from the clocksupply apparatus 901 and 903 and generates a clock signal insynchronization with the received clock signals.

The clock supply apparatus 905 usually generates the clock signal insynchronization with the N-system clock signal from the clock supplyapparatus 901. In a case where abnormality occurs in the N system, theclock supply apparatus 905 generates the clock signal in synchronizationwith the E-system clock signal from the clock supply apparatus 903.Switching the N system to the E system as described above allows stableclock supply to be ensured and the reliability of the clock path networkto be increased. The SDH apparatus 906 transmits and receives theprimary signal based on the clock signal from the clock supply apparatus905. Similarly, the SDH apparatus 907 transmits and receives the primarysignal based on the clock signal from the clock supply apparatus 905.The apparatus in the station C can thus be synchronized with theapparatus in the station A or B.

The frequency signal generation system according to the presentembodiment is not limited to the clock transmission system. Thefrequency signal generation system includes any system that incorporatesan atomic oscillator and is formed of a variety of apparatus and aplurality of apparatus using the frequency signal from the atomicoscillator.

The frequency signal generation system according to the presentembodiment may, for example be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, atimepiece, a mobile phone, a digital still camera, a liquid ejectionapparatus (inkjet printer, for example), a personal computer, atelevision receiver, a video camcorder, a video tape recorder, a carnavigator, a pager, an electronic notepad, an electronic dictionary, adesktop calculator, an electronic game console, a word processor, aworkstation, a TV phone, a security television monitor, electronicbinoculars, a point-of-sales (POS) terminal, a medical apparatus (suchas electronic thermometer, blood pressure gauge, blood sugar meter,electrocardiograph, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, electronicendoscope, and magnetocardiograph), a fish finder, a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) frequency standard, a variety of measuringapparatus, a variety of instruments (such as instruments in automobile,airplane, and ship), a flight simulator, a ground digital broadcastsystem, a mobile phone station, and a vehicle (such as automobile,airplane, and ship).

In the invention, part of the configuration thereof may be omitted andthe embodiments and variations may be combined with each other to theextent that the features and effects described in the presentapplication are provided.

The invention encompasses substantially the same configuration as theconfiguration described in the embodiment (for example, a configurationhaving the same function, using the same method, and providing the sameresult or a configuration having the same purpose and providing the sameeffect). Further, the invention encompasses a configuration in which aninessential portion of the configuration described in the embodiment isreplaced. Moreover, the invention encompasses a configuration thatprovides the same advantageous effect as that provided by theconfiguration described in the embodiment or a configuration that canachieve the same purpose as that achieved by the configuration describedin the embodiment. Further, the invention encompasses a configuration inwhich a known technology is added to the configuration described in theembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An atomic oscillator comprising: an atom cellthat accommodates an alkali metal atom therein; a container thataccommodates the atom cell therein; a heating device that is disposedadjacent the container and is configured to heat the atom cell; asubstrate on which the container is disposed; and a positioning memberthat is disposed on the substrate and positions the container relativeto the substrate, wherein the atom cell is pressed against the containertoward the heating device, and the heating device is pressed against thecontainer toward the atom cell, and the container is in turn pressedagainst the positioning member.
 2. The atomic oscillator according toclaim 1, wherein the container has a first surface on which the heatingdevice is disposed and a second surface located on a side opposite thefirst surface, and the second surface is pressed against the positioningmember.
 3. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1, furthercomprising a heating device holding member that holds the heatingdevice, wherein the heating device holding member is pressed against thecontainer toward the atom cell.
 4. The atomic oscillator according toclaim 1, further comprising an atom cell holding member that holds theatom cell and is accommodated in the container, wherein the atom cellholding member is pressed against the container toward the heatingdevice.
 5. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1, furthercomprising another container that accommodates the container therein;and a heating device fixing screw that fixes the heating device to theother container, wherein the heating device is fixed to the othercontainer with the heating device fixing screw, and the heating deviceis in turn pressed against the container toward the atom cell.
 6. Theatomic oscillator according to claim 1, further comprising an atom cellfixing screw that fixes the atom cell to the container, wherein the atomcell is fixed to the container with the atom cell fixing screw, and theatom cell is in turn pressed against the container toward the heatingdevice.
 7. The atomic oscillator according to claim 1, furthercomprising another container that accommodates the container therein;and a fixing screw that fixes the heating device to the other containerand further fixes the atom cell to the container, wherein the heatingdevice is fixed to the other container and the atom cell is fixed to thecontainer with the fixing screw, and in turn the heating device ispressed against the container toward the atom cell and the atom cell ispressed against the container toward the heating device.
 8. An atomicoscillator comprising: a substrate; a mounting bracket fixed to thesubstrate; a container mounted to the mounting bracket; an atom cellhoused within the container; a heating device adjacent the container andconfigured to heat the atom cell; a first fastener pressing the atomcell against an interior of the container toward the heating device, anda second fastener pressing the heating device against an exterior of thecontainer toward the atom cell, and pressing the container against themounting bracket.
 9. The atomic oscillator according to claim 8, whereinthe container has a first side pressed against the heating device and asecond side pressed against the mounting bracket, the second side beingopposite the first side.
 10. The atomic oscillator according to claim 8,further comprising: a heating device container housing the heatingdevice, wherein the heating device container includes a lid interposedbetween the heating device and the container, the lid being pressedagainst the container toward the atom cell by the second fastener. 11.The atomic oscillator according to claim 8, further comprising: an atomcell holding member interposed between the atom cell and the container,the atom cell holding member being pressed against the container towardthe heating device by the first fastener.
 12. The atomic oscillatoraccording to claim 8, further comprising: a second container fixed tothe heating device by the second fastener, the second container housingthe container therein.
 13. An atomic oscillator comprising: a substrate;a mounting bracket fixed to the substrate; a container mounted to themounting bracket; an atom cell housed within the container; an atom cellholding member sandwiched between the atom cell and an interior surfaceof the container; a heating device container adjacent an outer surfaceof the container; a heating device housed within the heating devicecontainer and configured to conductively heat the atom cell; a firstfastener configured to press the atom cell toward the heating device;and a second fastener configured to press the heating device toward theatom cell, and to press the container against the mounting bracket. 14.The atomic oscillator according to claim 13, wherein the container has afirst side pressed against the heating device and a second side pressedagainst the mounting bracket, the second side being opposite the firstside.
 15. The atomic oscillator according to claim 13, furthercomprising: a second container fixed to the heating device container bythe second fastener, the second container housing the container therein.16. The atomic oscillator according to claim 15, wherein the secondfastener further comprises a screw passing through a base and a lid ofthe heating device container and threadingly engaging the secondcontainer to press the heating device container against the containerand to press the container against the mounting bracket.
 17. The atomicoscillator according to claim 13, wherein the heating device containerincludes a lid interposed between the heating device and the container,the lid being pressed against the container toward the atom cell by thesecond fastener.
 18. The atomic oscillator according to claim 17 whereinthe heating device container includes a base secured to the lid by thesecond fastener, the base and the lid forming an internal spaceaccommodating the heating device therein.
 19. The atomic oscillatoraccording to claim 13, wherein the first fastener further comprises ascrew passing though the container and threadingly engaging the atomcell holding member to press the atom cell toward the heating device.20. The atomic oscillator according to claim 19, further comprising: asecond container fixed to the heating device container by the secondfastener, the second container housing the container therein, whereinthe second fastener further comprises a second screw passing through abase and a lid of the heating device container and threadingly engagingthe second container to press the heating device container against thecontainer and to press the container against the mounting bracket.